New HG Friends and the Mannequin Challenge

This sentiment written to us by soon-to-be HG resident Linda from North Carolina pretty much sums up our jobs here. We deal with contracts, financial reports, governing documents, advertising deadlines, construction, banking, and all sorts of other detailed stuff. But the most important part is connecting current HG residents with their future neighbors and friends for the first time.

January 21st was a magical day at HG. It was a day of team building, community building, making friends and having fun. HG Marketing and Construction team members, current residents, and soon-to-be residents gathered. It ended late in the evening with this:

The day started when we embarked together on a progressive tour of six recently-built HG homes. Marketing Team members Will and Amber were joined by our New Construction Design Coordinator Sandra, and our builder Dan and his wife Jen. The Wild Duck Restaurant and Pub at HG co-owners Craig and Lisa and Chef Dannielle catered.

Alroy and Valerie formerly of Jacksonville, Florida; Bruce and Kathy formerly of Gorham, Maine; George and Nancy formerly of San Diego, California; David and Trish formerly of Elverta, California; and Diane formerly of Bolton, Massachusetts hosted the first five stops in their HG homes. Each place featured food and drink inspired by the state from which its occupant came.

Future HG residents Michael and Theresa from Winterport, Maine; Jean and Rich from Windham, Maine; Wimberley and Kathy from Haverhill, Massachusetts; Linda and Jim from Middletown, Delaware; and Ed and Linda from Cary, North Carolina joined us. They are all contracted to build homes with us and made special trips for this occasion.

The last stop of the night was Don and Judy’s, who recently moved to HG from Wallingford, Pennsylvania. Dessert, coffee and more good cheer culminated with our HG Mannequin Challenge.

Here’s what “Delaware” Linda wrote later:

“As Jim and I begin our road trip back to Delaware, we are remembering new faces and sharing conversations. What a great vibe to steer us home! So happy we made this trip to reaffirm what we really already knew, HG is the place for us.

Thank you all who planned and executed such a warm, welcoming, fun and extremely yummy event. I feel like i just had a dose of the best feel good medicine there is. Jim and I were really wowed by the group of new friends we met and the folks who opened their hearts and homes to us!!!”

Here’s more of what we received from “North Carolina” Linda:

“Yesterday’s event was fantastic – above and beyond! We are still wrapping our heads around the fine caliber of the event, the generosity of our many hosts/hostesses, and the culinary skills of Craig, Lisa and Danielle.

Do you remember the theme song from the ’60’s show, “Green Acres”? One line went something like – ‘Green Acres is the place for me.’ Well…‘Highland Green is THE place for us!’ We basically knew that fact, but this weekend cemented it!

And a special shout out to Will, Amber, and Sandra – also Dan and Jen – for giving up a Saturday with their families and spending it with us…”

Of course we were not “giving up” a Saturday. This is the most important part of our jobs. And while Monday brought more detail, more contracts, more reports, and more deadlines…connecting friends and building community together over the weekend hardly seems like work.